In this article, when hand-quilting is mentioned, I’m talking specifically about big-stitch hand-quilting with size 8 or 12 weight thread.
When I first started hand-quilting I just used whatever needle I could find. Then, I decided I should probably find one that I really like using, and turned to my good friend Google. There’s lots of information out on the web about which hand quilting needles are best. I’m not one to take someone else’s word for it, so I set out to try the 3 most recommended ones – milliner, sashiko, and embroidery. My goal was to decide for myself and my style which one I liked best. And of course, tell you all about it.
Milliners:
This is my favorite needle for hand-quilting. Hands down. I love the length, it isn’t too long but also not too short. The small needle eye means that it creates smaller holes through your fabric, and leads to less bearding. Bearding refers to when you end up with a bit of your batting poking up on the front of your quilt. When your needle eye is bigger, there’s a better chance it can drag some of the batting along with it to the surface when you’re pulling the needle through. Milliners needles glide easily through multiple layers and are rigid enough that they don’t bend easily (one of my biggest pet peeves).
A couple things you need to know about Milliners though before you all rush out to buy them. The eye of the needle is SMALL. I listed this as a positive above, and it is, but also be aware that threading size 8 thread through the eye can prove challenging. You might need a really good needle threader to assist you. I can thread the 12 weight easily, but even the 8 weight is challenging for me. That said, they’re still the needle I reach for over and over again.
Embroidery:
If there was a prize for second place, embroidery needles would be taking home silver. I found the embroidery needles a bit too thick for my tastes, but if you struggle with threading a milliner needle, then this is a good choice for you. The bigger eye is easy to thread, and the needle glides through all the layers easily.
Sashiko
Oh boy, I didn’t like these needles at all for hand quilting a quilt. Sashiko needles are super long, so you can load a ton of stiches onto them, but they were too long for my tastes. They were also very rigid and thick, so I found them difficult to use and hard to pull through all the quilt layers.
I hope this helps! If you have a favorite hand-quilting needle that I haven’t mentioned, let me know in the comments!
Thanks for this information. I suppose I should pay better attention to what kind I use. I’m not the best hand quilter but maybe I can get better with the proper needle. My problem is needle threaders. I NEED them. But the little wire kind necessary for the smaller eye constantly breaks on me. Is there such a thing as a GOOD needle threader for the smaller-eyed needles?
oh yes I agree, I’ve snapped quite a few metal needle threaders, which is so frustrating. I don’t know of a good one, I wish I could help!
Love this blog! I’m a first time quilter and I’m at the point of getting ready to hand quilt my first one! This blog helped me out tremendously! I had no idea the importance of the needle!
I’m glad it could help!
I HATE using embroidery needles! I don’t find them sharp enough for quilting. I do like those milliner needles and would use them interchangeably with sashiko needles, but then I started using tulip sashiko needles of which the longest length is WAY WAY too long but the other two sizes that come in their mixed pack are just right. The sashiko needles do take a little bit to break in though, the coating needs to be shined off. I say this with the consideration that I use 12wt thread and prefer a longer needle (about 2” is just perfect which is sashiko length). But I also think it is strong personal preference and you should try things out! Also the sashiko works better with wool batting than cotton!
The sashiko needles I tried were thicker and I think that was part of the reason I just didn’t like them. I’ve heard good things about the tulip brand, though, so I might have to get some and give them another try
I love this fabric (all of it!), where can I find it?
Hi Lori! I have blog posts on two of the quilts featured: Etoile – https://patchworkandpoodles.com/etoile-quilt-scrappy-version/ and Bear Path – https://patchworkandpoodles.com/bear-path-a-quilt-pattern/ There’s some great online shops with modern bundles, some of my favorites are Cottoneer, Fabricstork, Lamb & Loom Fabrics, Stash Fabrics, and Marmalade Mood Quilts. Simply put any one of them into Google and you’ll find their shops!